Rogo's Managed Video Offering Examined

This update examines a managed video offering from a US company, Rogo. Their technical and market approach is different from many of the options we examined in our VSaaS competitive comparison.

Rogo loads software on a PC on-site. This software connects to local cameras (primarily USB cameras) and stores video at the house/business. The software then 'phones home' to Rogo's cloud service, allowing for users to remotely connect to their cameras/video without any networking setup (port forwarding, DDNS, etc.)

However, this does require an on-site PC be setup and powered on whenever one wants recording (and presumably if this is for security, that means 24/7/365).

Rogo sells through partners who can white label the service, direct from their main website and through a site dedicated to pet monitoring.

Re-sellers may set their own pricing and feature segmentation. Rogo reports a range of pricing from $10 - $30 per month for as many cameras as one has.

Rogo's direct service charges $19.95 per month per site for as many cameras as one has.

Competitive Analysis

For a small number of cameras, USB cams can be an attractive option. Even HD USB cameras are very cheap (720p HD webcam is about $55 online). With active extension cables, moderate distances (theoretically up to 80 feet) can be achived (16 feet active extension cables are about $22 each).

The two main barriers we see are:

Total number of cameras supported will be limited based on using an existing PC, constraining larger applications (which seems out of focus for the company anyway).

Monthly price: given that the system requires a PC on-site, we think $20 per month will be hard to justify especially as competitive offerings expand. While the system provides easier remote access, installing webcam software and enabling port forwarding/DDNS would provide similar benefits. For the yearly total cost of $240, it might be easier to simply pay a tech to enable remote access. $20 per year, rather than per-month, strikes us as a price level more likely to generate broad uptake.

What if you took a 33MP Axis camera covering one of the busiest parks in the US and ran Amazon Facial Recognition against it?
That is what the...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

Member Login

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.